- ARCHIVE - Court of the Caliph of Islam

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Court of the Caliph of Islam

The crescent moon became a symbol of Islam because of a dream that the first Sultan of the Ottoman Empire had. Osman I, going into battle against his enemies, had the archangel Gibreel come down to him, and present him with the crescent moon as a symbol to unite his troops, and lead them to victory. Osman made the moon his standard, just as Allah willed it to be, and the Ottoman Empire won the day, as well as many other victories.
The Rightly-Guided Caliph of Islam

The Caliph holds court in the city of Astrakhan, one of the most important cities in the region.

The Mosque where the Caliph has held court since arriving in Astrakhan.

Majid Hassam, Rightly-guided Caliph of Islam, was born near Astrakhan. He amazed everyone around him with his quick mind and aptitude for mathmatics and theology. After he became Caliph, he has looked at the situation for Islam with great dispair. He has never been shy about his goals, which are to eliminate the Christian presence in the eastern Mediterranean. He despairs that the various Emirs and Khans under his guidance will not have the strength of faith to do the job. The Devout Alliance was a good start, but as only the Algerians and Ottomans are actively obeying his command for jihad, he fears for the future. After the Devout Alliance won victory after victory against the Christians, and Austria and Genoa established normalized relations with the Islamic nations, the Caliph decided that the jihad had served it's purpose in proving the strength of the Muslim nations. Now, only Venice is seen as a great threat to Islam, since Venice would has been heard to have declared that all Muslims must be slain. He also worries about the Shi'ites who serve and conspire against his old friend and protector, the Great Khan Jambyn.

Ali Hassam - The son of the Caliph, and thus the next caliph himself, is less of a genius than his legendary father. However, he is a man who has great ideas for the future of Islam. He has often been heard speaking about how the great strength of the infidels is their organization. He has hoped to transform the Devout Alliance into a Great Empire of Islam, based on the model of the Holy Roman Empire. Majid remains steadfastly opposed to this idea, arguing that the power struggles and intrigues of the Empire do more harm than they are worth. It remains to be seen which viewpoint will ultimately triumph.



Jihad
A jihad has currently been called against all Catholic Nations of the Earth.

 

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Organization of the Islamic Faith

The Caliph - The Caliph sits as the greatest scholar and priest in all of the lands. A descendant of the Caliphs of Baghdad, the Caliph is a hereditary position, and should a line completely die out, then the greatest of all scholars in the lands, the ulamas, must gather to select the next closest line. In practice, the Caliph's powers are rather limited, since he leads a pack of absolute monarchs, many of whom are very strong-willed.

The ulamas - The ulamas are great scholars, with enormous influence in their own realms. When the Caliph desires council from other mortal men, then he summons these wisemen to a conclave. Generally, he will call a Conclave before he declares a ruler apostate, or calls a jihad, although there have been exceptions for flagrant cases. Should a Caliph die without issue, then it falls to the ulamas to divine who is to succeed him. Each Sunni muslim nation has one ulama. Also, the holiest of cities, with their great circles of clerical scholars also recieve an ulama. Those cities are:
Mecca
Medina
Astrakhan
Jerusalem

Edicts of the Caliph

The Edict of the Protection of the Faithful

In this fateful hour, which the barbarian westerners reckon as the year 1427, the Once True Faith faces it's greatest challange. The hordes of the Whore of Rome march to the east, with their stated intention being the butchery of an entire race, and the enslavement of the True Faith. In this act, they have harnessed the name of their false god and used it to gather far more support than they could normally tear away from their internal strife. This Priest John-Luke II is the enemy of peace, and looks only to find Muslim blood to ease the pain of his separation from God.

Due to this madness, I, Majid Hassam, Rightly-Guided Caliph of all Islam, Deputy of God and Spiritual Son of the Prophet must call for all of the faithful to band together, regardless of differences. I call for a jihad against the followers of the Whore of Rome. I call for any nation who would call itself one of the Faithful to send soldiers to fight for Islam. If you cannot send soldiers or if your armies are weak and shattered, then send gold to those who can fight, and help to stand up for the True God. Although it is the bravest of us all who fight in the front lines against the apostate, no man may call one who gives money for swords and shields a coward, for he has done what he can.

Because of the size of this great war, one must choose a great leader for the armies of Islam, a man who can motivate his soldiers to victory and glory in the name of Allah. No man has fought the battle against the heathens for as long as Bars Khan, and so it is to him that the Overgeneralship of Dar-as-Islam should fall, unless Allah makes his will known to be otherwise. May all Muslim armies follow his righteous orders so that victory will ensue.

Any nation who would go against this edict, or who would war upon their fellow Muslim at this crucial junction will be looked upon as a grave sinner. Even the Shi'ite Muslims are less threat then these Catholics, and so we must try and bridge the gaps between us and our wayward cousins, in the hopes that we may together survive this storm of heresy.

Majid Hassam, Rightly Guided Caliph of Islam.

 

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A middle aged man, around 45 years old walks into the court. He wears a red robe and a red mantle with a golden large halfmoon on the back. He slowly walks up to his highness the Caliph Majid Hassam and bows deeply.

Majid tells him to stand and state his misson. The red dressed man stands up and begins to speak.

"Your holyness I am Sain Tengri. Great Khan Dsaluu Jmabyn sent me to represent the Timurid Empire to your holyness.

The Great Khan also aid that he will hopefully come here to visit his friend and catch up on old times, and perhaps have more lessons on how the world works."

The Caliph remebers the many hours Dsaluu Jambyn spent with him before he was proclaimed Caliph. Dsaluu Jambyn was very interested in the theology which Majid could tech, but probobly even more about the nature science which Majid also knew a great deal about. Sain Tengri disturbes the Caliph thoughts when he continues to speak.

"I would most humbly like to point out that there seams to be a misstake made by one of the scribes, they forgot to add Bagdad as one of the Holy Cities."

 

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The Caliph looks upon Sain Tengri, and smiles, pleased to see someone come to visit him.

"My son, I am afraid that the great city of Baghdad has yet to recover from the sack by Timur-i-lang. Moreover, since the seat of the Dar-as-Islam has been moved to Astrakhan, most of the great scholars and theologists that survived the murder of Baghdad came to this city, to live under the protection of the Great Khan of the Golden Horde."

"However, I am very happy to see that the Great Khan Jambyn is still in good health, and has taken over the Empire that Timur built. Truly, I hope that the Young Khan can bring the true faith to a people who have been lacking it for so long."

 

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Doors of the Grand Mosque opened as three men walked in guards bagan to line the side wall. The three men were dressed in the most latest of fanshoins these were the Ulamas of the Hedjaz, Mecca and Medina. The center man began to speak.

"Honorable Caliph, I am former Prince Musby'a I gave up any possible claims to the throne so I may become an Ulama as our laws dictate. This is Bogat'ya Ulama of Mecca."

The man on the right began to speak

"I was a great trader in my land I was appointed for my great influnce and my abilities to find new was to solve a probleam."

The man on the left began to speak

"I am Al'Samoan, Ulama of Medina. I am a former warrior, I spent years developing a form of martial arts and knifplay. These warriors are a squad of the Arabian Hussars applicants, not yet masters in the arts of horse and camel riding I will spend some of my time here training them to be master of my art battle so they will become the Caliph's personal gaurd."

The center man began to speak

"If there are not any pressing matters we will be looking for a homes in this city."

 

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The Caliph looks in amazement at the three scholars from the holy cities of the Hedjaz. Such great diversity, it must truly be a blessing to live on the same land where the Prophet did.

"Welcome to Astrakhan, great sons of Dar-as-Islam. Please, find suitable accomodations in the city for yourselves. I am afraid that the steppe is not as inviting as our homeland, but it has it's charms all the same. You may enjoy my hospitality until such a time as you have found houses. Truly it is a pleasure to look upon the greatest ulamas from the lands of the Prophet. And to see a prince give up all his worldly things to better know the mind of Allah... Such great faith is indeed staggering."

 

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Sain Tengri once again starts to speak.

"Thank you for your statisfying response.

However i am not sure if the Great Khan is able to return good faith to the Timurid Empire by himself, he seams to be far more intrested in building a rich empire and a powerfull army then having faithfull servants. His job have indeed turned many to the true faith, but far more could have been turned to the true faith."

The Ulama stops for a while then continues to speak.

"These wonderfull steppes, there must be food for a million horses here. These Plains feel like home, i am sure i would be happy on them. But even if i do like the Plains i would be even ahppier if the Caliph could see to that i recive a home in this glorious city. I have many riches with which i can pay for the house, but a lack the knowladge of the city to do that."

The caliph calls for one of his servants, he tells him to find a suitable home for this man.

 

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A large group of travellers reach Astrakhan. They are wearing Mamelukes colours and only their ever repeating decleration that they have come to see the Caliph have enabled them to come so far. When reaching the seat of the Caliph a smaller group is dispatched from the larger one. The group is led by an older man. He kneels in front of the Caliph and says.

“Great Caliph Majid – Hassan,

I am Mushin al-Aini, the spokesman of the group outside. We have traveled a far distant, only to ask for your guidance. We represent the sunnite population of the heretic Mameluke empire and have come to speak on their behalf. As you know, we are many in Egypt who follow the right way of Islam. We are many who havent turn our back on Allah and still seeks to live our lives in the right way.”

Mushin pauses for a moment before he continues.

“Some times, some of us believ or rather is afraid of, that Allah has abandon his loyal servants in Egypt. We have no one in Egypt to seek guidance from. Although Cairo, among other places in Egypt is known to harbour great populations of sunnites, as well as a prospering culture with one of the worlds finest mosques, build to the glory of Allah, we feel somewhat lost. Until the holy city of Jerusalem is recaptured from the infidels, now one is representing the sunnites in Egypt. Therefore we ask for you to, maybe not appoint a Ulama for Cairo, but to let me stay here in Astrakhan as the sunnites of Egypts representative. It would allow us to spread the divine example of your words to the people of Egypt and to let them seek guidence and comfort in your wisdom.”

By this rather bold proposal, Mushin stops talking and awaits the divine judgement of the Caliph.

 

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Wise and Pious Caliph, Rightly-Guided Servant of Allah!

Greetings and salutations. As you are no doubt aware, my daughter has become betrothed to the Prince of the Hedjaz. It would be an honor to all of us specifically, and the Dar al-Islam in general, if you would grant your blessing.

Sultan Murad II

 

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The Caliph, who had been studying several texts about the lands to the east, breaks from his study to acknowledge the men from Cairo and Edirne. He first responds to the man from the Mameluke Sultanate.

"Truly it is a blessing that the true teachings of the Prophet would survive, even when surrounded by a sea of heresy. You look to Allah to hold you up and shield you from the darkness, and I, his servant, will humbly accept you into my halls. You will stay here, and speak for your people, and tell us all of the struggles of the True Faith in the heretic lands, for I imagine they are severe. You will grow wiser in matters of theology, and you will come to know the mind of Allah, as well as any man could. And then, when the time is right, you will return to your people, and shall lead them to the true faith, and convert the heretics. Now stand Mushin al-Aini, and my servant will find you quarters."

Turning towards the messenger who brought the Ottoman Sultan's letter, the Caliph speaks once more. "I would bid you send this message to the Sublime Porte. 'I will bestow my blessing, and that of Allah, upon this holy union between the greatest houses of the East. Moreover, I will do so in person, as I will attend the wedding myself. Truly a glorious day it will be for all peoples who know that there is but one God, and Mohammed is his Prophet.'"

 

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A group of men, dusty from an evident long journey, accompanied by several Ottoman guides, appears before the Caliph.

One of the men steps forward, speaking in Arabic but with a discernable accent.

“Noble Majid Hassam, I am your humble servant, Ibrahim Alfaqui of Granada. The faithful followers of Allah in the Kingdom of Castile and Leon have given much to pay for our long journey. Though the Emirate is fallen and our lands and persons belong now to the Christian King of Castile, yet Granada and Al-Andalus have many faithful Muslims and in many places we meet freely, though we may not proselytize. We wish not to be forgotten before the eyes of the Caliph."

 

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Mushin al-Aini asks for an audience with the Caliph. He wish to show the sunnites of Egypts gratitude, as well as his own, towards the Caliph who have accepted him in his halls.

“Holy Caliph,

I wish to extend a gift to you. A gift that have been made by the most skilled craftsmen of Egypt, to show you our gratitude for accepting us in theese halls.”

Mushin waves at a servant that is wearing a rather large box. When put down on the floor. Mushin opens the box and, carefully, takes up the object in box.

“We wish to you present this, golden shield, with the sign of the true faith. It is now yours to use in what ever way you think it would serve best.”

As Mushin speakes he his showing the Caliph a glimmering golden shield with the markings of Sunni Islam.

 

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The Caliph's eyes widen at the fine gift he has been presented with.

"The Faithful of the Mameluke Sultanate have indeed given me something very precious. I have rarely seen such a fine depiction of the Holy Symbol that Gibreel laid upon Osman. I shall carry this precious symbol with me to Mecca, as a sign of the great power and glory of Allah, and the Sunni who remain in the Mameluke lands."

With that, the Caliph leaves the audience chamber to prepare to leave for the great wedding at Mecca.

 

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A message was handed to the Caliph by a messanger of Arabia it read,
"The Ulamas and people of the Hedjaz annoce full support of any action taken by the caliph and of the call to Jihad"

 

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As the Caliph had just returned from the Holy City of Mecca, he was enjoying the comforts of home. He was most distressed to have his peace broken by a Mongol messenger ride in and hand him a letter, wrapped in silk. As he read it, his expression darkened, and a frown creased his face.

Majid Hassan, once again brought pen to paper, and penned out another call for war. He had done this much too often in previous years. Perhaps what his son said about how Christians truly were misguided savages was true...

 

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Mushin al-Aini enters the Court of the Caliph.

“Great Caliph,

I am here to express the support of the Sunnites in Egypt, for this rightfully fought jihad against the infidels. Volunteers from the Sunnite population in Egypt is flocking to fight against the invaders. It was with joy we saw the city of Jerusalem fall in the hands of the faithful Sultan of Hedjaz. That must surely have been a sign from Allah that he will led the faithful ones to victory. It is also with joy that we can report that the Sultan in Cairo have been less harsh against the Sunnites in Egypt, after that the christians called for their crusade. Also this could be a sign of, that Allah at last have enlightend the Sultan to be more just and righful against the faithful ones.”

 

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The Ulamas of the Hedjaz adressed the Caliph,
"We in the Hedjaz are going to reclaim the lands that once were of Islam the lands of Lebanon, Syria and Aleppo. But we were shocked to find them not of Jihad and we belive they should be"

 

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Abbas ibn Uthman, the maverick ulama, as usual makes a controversial statement.

"Those lands were conquered from heretics - after which, all of us signed treaties of non-aggression and friendship with the Genovese. I see no reason to open another major war when we have plenty of adversaries poised to pour into Rumelia any day now."

 

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The Caliph, whose eyes are rheumy and seems to be weaker than he has in years, enters his audience chamber. He has heard the words of the men who are there, and he has an answer for every one of them.

"Mushin, my Egyptian friend. There is no force on this earth that will allow me to forget our brethern under the heretic Mamelukes. I just hope that your people, with the devotion to the word of the Prophet, bring the Shi'ites back to the true faith."

Turning to the three men of the Hedjaz, Majid frowns. "Brothers, there is assuredly a jihad called against Genoa. They are of the unenlightened Christian faith. A faith that I, at the prompting of my late host Bars Khan, have called down as being an offense against God. Although I chose to do this only when they became a threat to us all, it was something that had to be done, so that the Whore of Rome does not rule us all by year's end."

Turning to his unconventional Ottoman friend, Majid begins to cough, almost uncontrolably. His son, Ali, rushes to his side, only to be waved off by the old man, who wipes at his mouth quickly. He continues as if nothing has happened. "And Abbas, who always sees our problems from new ways, in this matter, I wish that you were correct. However, the Genovese greed is proverbial. How long do you think they could hold back, after the Catholica have smashed our armies? Their Kingpriest would not permit them to stay. Moreover, I have heard much of the Genovese desire for peace, now that they occupy lands that our fathers were born on. They are hypocrites of the first order, talking of peace while insulting us at every turn. Of all the Catholic nations that we may do battle with, truly the only ones who deserve our blades are Venice and Genoa."

With that, the Caliph settles onto his cushion, clearly tired from his speech.

 

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A messenger runs into the the court of the Caliph, where Majid Hassan rests on a cushion, recovering from a bout of illness.

"Most Holy! The damned Shi'ites have declared war on the Holy Land!"

The Caliph seems to slump even more. "What am I to do..."